Hi everyone, feeling a little down right now. I get home today to find my information packet in the mail from the surgeons office. The surgeons secretary had called me earlier today to let me know that she had gotten a time for me to be at the hospital and to let me know she had mailed the information packet which I didn’t expect to come today. So, I open the packet and I’m reading over the many pages and get to the next to last page to find a surgical fee page…the surgeon wants $800 up front to be paid by July 5th and if not paid the surgery will have to be cancelled and postponed until that fee is paid…needless to say I was heartbroken because I am a single mother of three and can not afford to pay anyone $800. According to the paper it is to cover any remaining deductible and co insurance and if overpaid or underpaid once my insurance has been billed I will be billed or refunded the difference. May I remind everyone my surgery is scheduled for July 12th, none of this was mentioned to me during the office visit nor did the secretary mention this to me when she called me earlier today to tell me she had mailed me this information, so I guess I will continue to live in pain because I can not afford to pay this fee. I am very devastated but maybe it was for the best. I will bounce back and continue to press on, thanks everyone for listening.
Thank you so much for your reply, I was very shocking to say the least I had already waited for long in anticipation after the office visit just for the surgery to be scheduled which I had never experienced before and to then get a surgery date was a great relief only to have it shattered by this was eye dropping. If they had not waited so long to schedule the surgery after the initial office visit I don’t think I would have had this problem because the surgery could have been scheduled before July 1st which is the start date of insurance re-enrollment meaning my deductible is not met because insurance starts over, my deductible was met up until June 30th so I feel it was a stalling technique but that’s just my opinion. I am truly heartbroken but will bounce back thanks again for your support.
Beeba said:
I am very sorry to here about this. It must have been shocking as it was not discussed prior. Can you call the office and let them know that this fee is not feasible and try to set up a payment plan with them? I know to some this amount may not seem huge but to others this amount could make or break you. I suggest speaking with your family and employer. Some will have funds set up for employees for just these type of circumstance. I am very sorry for your situation I hope you find a solution to make this work out. Best wishes.
I am sorry that you are going thru this! That seems like a very important step in this whole process and it should have been discussed with you upfront and not hidden in paperwork! I thought I would mention another option:.The financial counselor at the hospital should have a list of programs that offer financial help.We all need a little extra help every now and then, I know I have. Let us know how things are going.
Keeping you in my thoughts.
SparkyID7
I know my NS office had a credit plan you could use to pay the up-front fees. Maybe ask about that? I ended up putting the fee on one of my own credit cards just because I didn't want to open a new line of credit. It's terrible that it wasn't discussed sooner! :( I'm so sorry!
Thank you so much for that information I am trying to find as many options as I can.
Anglyn said:
I know my NS office had a credit plan you could use to pay the up-front fees. Maybe ask about that? I ended up putting the fee on one of my own credit cards just because I didn't want to open a new line of credit. It's terrible that it wasn't discussed sooner! :( I'm so sorry!
I was also,shocked by this. You also need to check with the hospital. I had to pay 1/2 of the physician copayment and a minimum of 500.00 to the hospital. The hospital was willing to work with me on the remaining copayment.
I would really like to thank everyone that replied to my discussion. Everyone’s advice was so very helpful and I am happy to say that I have an awesome NS with a wonderful secretary that works for him at his practice and they were more than willing to assist me in putting the fee off until after the surgery so by the grace of god my surgery will go ahead as scheduled for July 12th. I can’t thank this site enough for so many wonderful people whom know exactly how I feel and have experienced what it is that I am going through that listens with a caring heart and offer some good genuine advice to no only assist you and help but to also lift you up when you are feeling down. With this site you are never alone so I really and truly thank each and every one of you guys, thanks thanks thanks and many more thanks.
We have gotten everything worked out. Still Happy is set for surgery on July 12th. Good things do happen for good people !!!